Cosmetic container or the like



March 20, 1951 R. B. HOPGOOD 2,545,849

COSMETIC CONTAINER OR THE LIKE Filed May 26, 1949 a n mlm; v A mil/111114 I N VEN TOR. R055)? 7 3. #01 5000 Patented Mar. 20, 1951 COSMETIC CONTAINER, OR THE LIKE Robert B. Hopgood, Cheshire, Conn., assignor to The Eyelet Specialty Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 26, 1949, Serial No. 95,428

16 Claims.

containers, and in particular to such containers in which a carrier for lipstick or the like is propelled upon relative rotation of two parts.

In containers of the character indicated, it is important that a container assembled with lipstick or the like shall hold its retracted position during shipment and in spite of the vibration which may occur during shipment. From the standpoint of the user, it is desirable that the propelling action shall be as free as possible and yet that, when the closure cap is placed over the container, it shall not be possible for the lipstick to be propelled against the inside of the closure cap.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provid an improved structure meeting the above requirements.

It is another object to provide such an improved structure wherein the parts which serve to retain the carrier against propulsion (when the cap is on) offer substantially no resistance to propulsion when the cap is removed.

It is also an object to provide an improved means for dogging a cosmetic container against operation as long as the closure cap is in placethe dogging action resulting from the fact of having placed the cap over the container, rather than from the action of placing the cap over the container.

It is a specific object to meet the above objects with a construction involving the assembly of no more parts than are required for present constructions.

It is another specific object to meet the above objects with a construction involving no unsightly parts and presenting a minimum apparent change in outer appearance, even when the closure cap is removed from the container.

Other objects and various further features of the invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art'from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a cosmetic container incorporating features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, with certain parts viewed more or less in the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in elevation of a modification of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but taken more or less in the plane 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partly broken-away view in elevation of a further modification according to the invention; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary views in partial section illustrating the cooperation of parts in the structure of Fig. 5.

Briefly stated, my invention contemplates latching means cooperating between two relatively movable members of a cosmetic container of the character indicated, in order to hold a given relative position of said members. The latching means may cooperate substantially only for the one relative position in which latching is to take place. The latching means may carry or engage means which may project or be projected exteriorly of the container casing; upon place- 7 ment of the closure cap, the mere presence of the closure cap may serve to limit movement of the latch means and therefore effectively to dog the container against operation. In one form to be described, the latch is a radially deformable member that is deformable only (or substantially only) at the latching position, and the inner surface of the closure cap serves to limit the extent of radial deformation and, therefore, to prevent a movement past the latch position as long as the closure cap is in place. In another arrangement, the latch is generally axially movable and carries a radial projection which may axially abut the bottom of the skirt of the closure cap in order to limit latch action as long as the closure cap is in place.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, my invention is shown in application to a more or less conventional cosmetic container including a carrier cup liito be propelled axially within the container. The cup 10 may be formed with or carry radially projecting cam-follower means II for simultaneous engagement with cooperating cam slots in an inner tubular member or shell I2 and in an outer tubular member or sleeve l3. In the form shown, the slot M in the inner shell I2 is straight, and the slot I5 in the sleeve I3 is a spiral.

-The sleeve i3 may carry an outer tubular casing l6, and the inner shell may be formed with an enlarged base portion IT. For the arrangement shown, the carrier 10 will be propelled upwardly upon a clockwise or right-handed rotation of the base ll relatively to the outer tubular casing I6.

In accordance with the invention, I provide latch means including a deformable member resiliently to latch two of the relatively movable parts against movement past one relative position thereof, 'and in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, such latch means is effective between a part carried by the outer tubular member or sleeve I3 and a part carried by the carrier ID. The latch means may include a finger struck out of the outer tubular casing l6 and having an inwardly facing cam surface, as defined by a simple bend l9, to be engaged by the projecting part or cam-follower means ll of the carrier Ill. The finger 58 may be aligned with the spiral slot at the lower end thereof. I prefer that when the carrier H] is in its bottom position, as when the cam-follower projection H is in the lower end of the spiral slot I5 or in the lower end of the straight slot M, an extension '20 of the finger l3 will overstand the cam-fellower projection l i. It will be appreciated that with the extension 20, it may never be possible for the cam follower H to foul or to fail to cooperate with the finger l8 regardless of the abuse to which the parts are put.

The finger I8 is preferably so formed that no part projects beyond the outer circumference of the outer tubular casing IE. However, the cam bend IS in the finger i8 is preferably sufiicient to produce a cammed throw of the finger H3 in excess of the normal clearance between the closure cap 2| and the outer tubular casing. Thus, it will be appreciated that, with the carrier in the down-position, and with the closure cap 2| placed over the container, a relative rotation of the base l1 and of the closure cap .2] will result merely in driving the finger l8 hard against the inner surface of the closure cap 2|; the resulting deformation of the finger I8 will be insufilcient to permit the cam follower H to pass the latch bend I9. There will, accordingly, be no propulsion of the carrier when the carrier cap is in place, and the carrier may thus be effectively dogged. When the closure cap is removed, however, the cam-follower means may freely radially outwardly deform the finger l8 as it passes the bend I9. After passage of the bend i9, the latching parts will be free of each other and of the other parts rotatable relatively thereto, so that carrier propulsion may be free and unimpaired by'friction of the latch parts.

In Figs. 3 and 4, I show a modification of the arrangements of Figs. 1 and 2, and in this modification the only change is in the formation of the deformable means constituting the latch. In Figs. '3 and 4, the deformable means is merely a generally circumferentially extending arcuate strip 23 formed out of the outer tubular casing IS. The strip .23 may overstand the spiral slot H5 in the sleeve i3, and again a radially inward bend, as at 23, may serve to produce a latching action between the skirt 23 and the outer end of the cam follower M. It will be appreciated that, because 'ofthe arcuate extent of the two slots 25 defining the strip 23, any deformation arising out of the latch action may be evidenced by an outward bulging of the strip 23. If the closure cap 2! is placed over the container, then the inner surface of the closure cap 2| may serve to limit such outward bulging and, therefore, effectively to dog the latch. If the closure cap 2| is not in place, then the latching action may be readily overcome, and carrier propulsion may be free and unopposed by any latching parts for all relative positions except the latching position.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7, I show an alternative arrangement according to the invention, in which the latching action is evidenced by a more orless axial (rather than radial) movement, and in this arrangement the bottom of the skirt of the closure cap may serve to dog the axial movement of the latch. As explained in greater detail in the copending application of Thompson and Hopgood, Serial No. 95,452, filed May 26, 1949, an axially movable latching member 30 may be formed out of the sheet metal of the sleeve l3. The latch 30 may comprise essentially an arouate circumferentially extending resilient arm 3| and a projection 32 for resilient engagement with a fixed projection -or lug 33, which may be formed out of or carried by the inner shell 12. In the forms shown, the lug 33 is struck out of the radial ledge 34 of the base I! of the inner shell |2, and the upper surface of the lug 33 may be arched (as .shown in Fig. 5) to provide gentle axially directed camming coaction with the latch projection 32. The latch 30 may be generally of the form shown and described in the said copending patent application, but I prefer that the relationship in the present form shall be such that for .substantially all relative .positionsof the parts except the latching position, the :latching parts shall impose no residual friction on the system. Thus, for the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the latching projection 32 is slightly .spaced off (or, at least, does not substantially drag on) the ledge 34 of the base H.

The projection 32 may also serve as dogging means to hold a latched engagement of the parts. Thus, the projection 32 may extend radially beyond the outer circumference of the outer tubular casing l6 and in axial overlapping relation with the base or skirt of the closure cap 2|. It will be appreciated that friction means (not shown) may cooperate between the closure cap and the outer tubular casing in order frictionally to hold the closure cap on the container and that, when thus frictionally held, the cap 2| may effectively dog the projection :32 against axially upward displacement. When the closure cap 24 is removed, .as in Fig. 7, thecam surfaces of the lug 33 may cooperate with the latch 30 to cam the same axially upwardly (as shown in Fig. '7) in order to release the :carrier from the down-position and to permit free further propulsion into an extended position.

It will be understood that the :axial latch parts (latch '30 and lug 33.) :may be formed out of the tubularv :members l2|3 at almost an desired axial position in the container, and to permit free latch action a window may be provided in the outer tubular casing 16. In the form shown, however, .I have preferred that this latching action shall .take place. near the base |'F| and, therefore, the window 35 formed out of theouter .tubular casing ;|6 need only be a relatively small and inconspicuous recess in the skirt of the'outer tubular casing 1 6, as will be clear.

It will be appreciated that I have described relatively simple constructions permitting the dogging of cosmetic-container parts when the cover or closure .cap has been placed thereon. The flogging action need not result from the action of placing the cap but rather from the fact of having placed the cap over the container. The latch and dog parts may be either axial or radial in action, and yet they need offer .no frictional resistance to free propulsive action for any except-the latching position of the parts. Finally, my constructions may present a neat appearance and may be fabricated without the-use of any more parts than are conventionally employed in self-propelling cosmetic containers.

While I have described my invention in detail for the preferred forms shown, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the ap-' pended claims. I

I claim:

1. In a cosmetic container or the like, two relatively rotatable tubular members and a carrier member to be propelled upon a relative rotation of said members, resilient latch means carried by one of said members normally in the path of movement of a part of another of said members, said part including a projection to engage and be resiliently engaged by said latch, said latch being free of said part for all relative positions of said one member and of said other member except substantially for a latching relative position thereof, whereby said latch means will be moved only when said tubular members are rotated substantially at said latching relative position, means movable exteriorly of said outer tubular member upon coaction of said latch with said projecting part, and a closure cap to fit over said outer tubular member and limit said exterior movement. j

2. In a cosmetic container or the like, an inner shell, a sleeve rotatable about said shell, a carrier member within said sleeve and shell and including cam-follower means projecting for coaction with propelling cams in said sleeve and in said shell, an outer tubular casing about said sleeve, and deformable means on said casing including cam means normally in the path of move- 30 ment of said cam-follower means, said deformable means being movable generally radially outwardly of said casing upon interception of said cam-follower means, and a closure cap fitting said casing and serving to limit the extent of cammed radially outwardly deformed movement, whereby a closure cap over said container may serve to prevent propulsion of said carrier past the point at which said cam-follower means would otherwise fully outwardly deform said .de'

formable means.

3. In a cosmetic container or the like, two relatively rotatable tubular members with cooperating propelling slots, a carrier member including projecting means engaging said slots, an outer tubular casing including a deformable latch member struck out of the surface thereof and including a part normally in the path of movement of said projecting means for camming engagement with said projecting means, a closure cap, and means on said closure cap poised to intercept and thus to limit a cammed displacement of said deformable latch member.

4. In a cosmetic container or the like, two relatively rotatable tubular members, a carrier with radially projecting cam-follower means in engagement with propelling slots in said tubular members, a radially outwardl deformable member carried by said outer tubular member and including a part formed to be cammed generally radially outwardly upon coaction with said cam-follower means, said deformable member being engageable with said cam-follower means at one relative position of said members and being free of said cam-follower means for relative positions of said tubular members on both sides of said one relative position, and a closure cap including means limiting outward displacement of said deformable member.

5. A container according to claim 4, in which said deformable member is a finger with cam means near the free end thereof to engage said cam-follower means.

6. A container according to claim 5, in which said finger radially overlaps said cam-follower means for positions of said cam-follower means on both sides of the latching position, of said cam-follower means,

7. A container according to claim 4, in which said deformable member is a continuous strip supported at both ends by said outer tubular member and formed with a radially inwardly directed cam for coaction with said cam-follower means.

8. In a cosmetic container or the like, two relatively rotatable tubular members, a carrier member to be propelled by said tubular members upon relative rotation of said tubular members, an outer tubular casing including radially outwardly deformable means, said deformable means being normally completely contained within a cylinder defined by the outer circumference of said outer tubular casing, said deformable means ineluding a radially inwardly directed cam, and abutment means on one of said members that is movable relatively to said casing, said abutment means being located for coaction with said cam for one relative position'of said parts, said abutment means being effectively clear of said cam for relative positions of said tubular members on both sides of said one relative position, and a closure cap including means to limit the coaction between said abutment and said cam.

9. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, two relatively rotatable tubular members including means to propel said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, a deformable member to project radially beyond the outer circumference of said outer tubular member and carried for rotation with one of said tubular members, means carried by the other of ,said tubular members and effective at one relative po--' sition of said tubular members to deform said deformable member, said means and said de- 40 formable member being in mutual clearance relation for relative angular positions of said tubular members on both sides of said one relative position, whereby propulsion of said carrier may be relatively free and unimpeded by friction between said means and said deformable member except at said one relative position, and a closure cap including means to limit the deformation of said deformable member.

10. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, two relatively rotatable members with means cooperating with said carrier to propel said carrier uponrelative rotation of said members, a fixed abutment struck out of an otherwise continuous surface on the return of said members so as to be permanently displaced from said continuous surface, generally axially deformable latch means carried by the other of said tubular members and engageable with said abutment, means movable with said latch and projecting outwardly of the outer circumference of said outer tubular member, and a closure cap including means limiting a latching movement of said outwardly projecting means.

11. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, two relatively rotatable tubular members ineluding means for propelling said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, the inner of said members including an enlarged base for finger engagement, abutment means carried by said inner tubular member near the base portion thereof and projecting axially above the enlargement of said base portion, axially deformable latch means carried for rotation with said outer tubular member, said latch means including a part projecting radially beyond the outer periphery of said outer tubular member, a closure :cap for-said container, and means efiective upon placement of said closure cap to limit displacement of said outwardly projecting part.

12. A cosmetic container according to claim 11,, in'which said radially projecting part extends sufficiently for axial engagement with said 010- sure cap.

13. A container according to claim 11, in which said radially extending part is a lug overstanding the enlargement of said base and in clearancewith saidenlargement.

14. Ina cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, an inner shell, a sleeve, said inner shell and said sleeve includingmeans cooperating with said carrier to propel said carrier upon relative rotation of said inner shell and of said sleeve, an axially movable latch carried for rotation with said sleeve, abutment means carried for rotation with said inner shell and engageable with said latch axially to propel said latch for one jecting radially through said window, and a closure cap including means to intercept a. latch propelled movement of said part projecting throughLthe window.

15. A container according to claim 14, in which said part projecting through the window is :a lug integrally formed on said latch.

16. A-container according to claim 15, in which said latch is formed out of an axial end of said sleeve and .in which said window is an opening recessed out of the skirt ,of said outer tubular casing.

ROBERT B. HOPGOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record .in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,145,832 Hoffman Jan. 31, 1939 2,409,658 Book Oct. 22, 1946 2,453,754 Mellette Nov. 16, 1948 

